This elopement guide reviews everything you need to know about how to elope in Acadia National Park. It covers where to elope, recommended seasons to elope in + how to make the best of your time in the park.
How to elope at Acadia National park
Eloping at Acadia National Park is actually really easy! All you’ll need to do is figure out where you want to elope in the park, who you want to marry you + what to do on your elopement day! There are so many things to do within the park, and here are examples of a few of my favorites!
What to do on your elopement day In Acadia National Park:
- Hiking! The park is full of great hiking trails + Paths! For instance, some of the most popular are Emery Path, Gorge Path, or any of the carriage loops!
- One of the more adventurous hiking trails is beehive Trail found here.
- Bring your bike + bike along all the bike paths!
- Stargazing
- Swimming
- Kayak at Long pond, Eagle lake, Echo lake or Jordan pond!
- Explore the tidepools
- Go boating on Mount Desert Island!
- Go visit the lighthouse on Baker Island! To get more information about this lighthouse, look here.
How to legally elope at Acadia National Park
Regardless If you and your fiance are from Maine, you can just go to your local town hall and apply for a marriage license there. If you are not local to maine, but still with that said want to get officially married in Acadia National Park, you will want to apply for a marriage license at any Maine town hall. When applying, both of you will need to be present. While you’re there, all you will need is your licenses, form of divorce (if applicable) and intention of marriage form (usually found online).
In addition, You may also need both of your parents birth places + social security numbers before filling out the paperwork, so try to find this information ahead of time. Once the information is filled out + you have completed your application, it’s good for 90 days! Next, You can either go elope the same day or anytime within this time frame!
- Park pass
- Maine marriage license
- Officiant
- Cadillac mountain vehicle pass (if going up to cadillac mountain)
- special use permit to get married within the park which you can find here.
Who can officiate my ceremony in Maine?
- ordained ministers
- anyone licensed to preach
- A maine notary
- if maine resident, you can also have a Maine lawyer as your officiant.
If you want a friend, family member or non-ordained person to officiate the marriage, you can follow the following steps!
- Once your friend would applies through the Universal Life church online to become ordained, they are all set! In fact, it’s as easy as just filling out an application. Due to legality purposes, you must be 18 years or older to apply. To have your friend or family member apply to become ordained, here is the application.
Here is more information about who can officiate a wedding or elopement in Maine
Where to Elope inside Acadia
The most popular spot to elope in Acadia is admittedly Cadillac Mountain, as it’s the first place in the United states to see the sunrise. Though, cadillac Mountain is not the only great ceremony location! Although, there are several other spots within the park to elope and hold your ceremony. For example, here are just a few along with their max limit on members that can attend your ceremony.
- Cadillac Mountain – 20 (No ceremonies during sunrise or sunset.)
- A Vehicle Reservation is required to drive the Cadillac Summit Road May 25 through Oct 22, 2022.
- Blue Hill Overlook – 20
- Sand Beach – 30
- Ocean Drive – 30
- Otter Cliff – 20
- Otter Point – 30
- Fabbri Picnic Area – 30
- Little Hunters Beach – 20
- Seawall Picnic Area – 35
- Thompson Island – 50
- Schoodic Point – 25
- Frazer Point Picnic Area – 50
Best accomodations in and around Acadia National Park
Amelia + Kris eloped on their own but never got those pictures they dreamed of in their wedding attire. We considered this their anniversary shoot, but it truly was their actual wedding celebration. They finally planned their small elopement where we adventured all around Acadia National Park.
First, we started the afternoon by meeting at their hotel, getting ready, and then went to Sand beach for their first look.
First look at Sand Beach
Although this was an “anniversary session,” this is truly the first time they were ever able to see each other in their wedding attire. Following their first look, we adventured all around Acadia National park, taking pictures at Jordan Pond, throughout the walking trails and finally we arrived at Cadillac Mountain for sunset.
Explored the park + we adventured on the trails
Walked on the rocks at Eagle Lake
Sunset at Cadillac Mountain
There wasn’t a sunset, but we were surprised with some beautiful fog and moodiness at the top of Cadillac Mountain, which made for some great pictures. Then at the top, we were able to greet a couple of other couples eloping!
In conclusion, if you need any more elopement inspiration don’t hesitate to reach out! Specifically regarding your elopement planning and inspiration, If you need more inspiration for your Acadia National Park Elopement, feel free to check out some of these resources here.
